^{Photo: Euronews.com}

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that his administration will no longer approve solar or wind power projects, marking a dramatic escalation in his broader campaign against renewable energy. The decision comes at a time when U.S. electricity demand is surging, driven by data centers, industrial growth, and population expansion, while fossil fuel plants continue to retire.

A Hard Stop on Renewable Approvals

Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, writing: “We will not approve wind or farmer-destroying Solar. The days of stupidity are over in the USA!!!” His comments align with a broader effort to restrict federal support for renewable energy.

Last month, the administration restructured the permitting process, giving Interior Secretary Doug Burgum sole authority over approvals. This centralization has raised alarms among renewable energy developers who say projects that were once considered routine are now at risk of being blocked.

Industry leaders warn that Trump’s comments confirm their worst fears: that the federal government is shutting the door on renewable development at a time when the grid needs it most.

Rising Energy Prices and Supply Pressures

Trump has repeatedly blamed wind and solar for high electricity prices. On the PJM Interconnection grid, which spans 13 states from the Mid-Atlantic to parts of the Midwest and South, capacity auction prices jumped 22% year-over-year last month. PJM, the nation’s largest grid operator, faces surging demand from data centers and manufacturing hubs while coal and older gas plants continue to retire.

Ironically, data from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shows that solar and battery storage projects make up the vast majority of the pipeline waiting to connect to PJM and other regional grids. Experts say these technologies could help fill the gap far faster than new fossil fuel projects.

Legislative and Trade Barriers

The permitting crackdown is only part of Trump’s broader anti-renewable agenda. His “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” phases out investment and production tax credits for solar and wind by the end of 2027, effectively cutting off one of the most important financial incentives driving U.S. clean energy growth.

At the same time, Trump’s tariffs on steel and copper—critical materials for solar panels, wind turbines, and transmission lines—have increased project costs, further dampening the outlook for renewable expansion.

Agriculture and Rural Impact

The administration’s stance has extended into agriculture policy as well. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ended its support for solar projects on farmland, a move that threatens to reduce income opportunities for farmers who have increasingly turned to leasing land for solar development.

Rural communities, which have benefited from land lease payments, construction jobs, and tax revenues tied to renewable projects, may feel the sting of these policy reversals most directly.

A Pivotal Moment for U.S. Energy Policy

The administration’s hardline position places the U.S. on a very different energy path compared to other major economies. While Europe, China, and even parts of Latin America accelerate renewable adoption to meet climate and energy security goals, the U.S. appears poised to double down on fossil fuels.

With electricity demand rising faster than new generation supply, the question remains: can traditional resources keep up without renewables stepping in? Analysts warn that without solar, wind, and battery storage, the U.S. could face tighter grids, higher prices, and greater dependence on imports of fossil fuels.

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